Melatonin Receptor (MTNR1A and MTNR2B) Expression During the Breeding Season in the Yak (Bos Grunniens)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Melatonin Receptor (MTNR1A and MTNR2B) Expression During the Breeding Season in the Yak (Bos Grunniens) Original Paper Czech J. Anim. Sci., 59, 2014 (3): 140–145 Melatonin receptor (MTNR1A and MTNR2B) expression during the breeding season in the yak (Bos grunniens) S.-D. Huo1, 2, R.-J. Long1 1College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P.R. China 2College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou, P.R. China ABSTRACT: Melatonin plays key roles in a wide range of mammalian body functions, which are mediated by the melatonin-specific cell surface receptor (MTNR1A and MTNR1B). To better understand the role of MTNR in the yak (Bos grunniens), we determined the melatonin receptor mRNA expression level. The analysis showed that the MTNR mRNA expression level was higher in the pineal gland tissue than in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovary (P < 0.01) during the breeding season. Immunofluorescence analyses showed that yak MTNR was located in the pinealocyte, synaptic ribbon, and synaptic spherules of the pineal gland and that melatonin interacts via nerve fibres. In the hypothalamus, MTNR was located in the magnocellular neurons and parvicellular neurons. MTNR was localized in acidophilic cells and basophilic cells in the pituitary gland. In the ovary, MTNR was present in the ovarian follicle, corpus luteum, and Leydig cells. Keywords: domestic yak; immunofluorescence; MLTR; real-time PCR The domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is a rare bovine receptor 1A (MTNR1A) genes are expressed in the species found at high altitudes in the Qinghai- cumulus-oocytes complex, whereas the MTNR1B Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions. Yaks have gene is expressed only in the oocytes. Melatonin unique biological and economic characteristics that can enhance the maturation of oocytes in vitro make them resistant to cold. They have evolved a (Berlinguer et al., 2009; Kang et al., 2009; El-Raey et unique body structure and physiological adapta- al., 2011). There was a positive correlation between tion mechanisms. The reproductive mechanism MTNR1A allele polymorphisms and reproduction may be the most important requirement for yak in the Sarda sheep breed (Carcangiu et al., 2009, survival in this situation. The yak breeding season 2011). Concluding data revealed the positive ef- runs from July to January in China. This period fect of melatonin treatment on the time of the is perfectly synchronized with the long nights first conception in ewe lambs and highlighted that and short days between the summer solstice and +/+ genotype is able to influence reproductive re- winter solstice. sponse to melatonin treatment. Melatonin-treated The pineal gland is the only endocrine organ animals of +/+ genotype showed a higher number that can transform light into endocrine informa- of pregnancies and lambed earlier compared to tion (Binkley, 1993). Melatonin is a polypeptide untreated animals of the same genotype in MTNR1 hormone, which is synthesized primarily in the (Mura et al., 2010). Melatonin secretion cycle pineal gland. The day length is the main factor varied under different lighting conditions (Ogino to initiate the yak breeding season each year via et al., 2013). There is no doubt that melatonin melatonin. Melatonin has an important role in participates in reproduction but the process is the maturation of oocytes where the melatonin not clear. We hypothesized that melatonin may Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 31260589). 140 Czech J. Anim. Sci., 59, 2014 (3): 140–145 Original Paper regulate yak reproduction via the hypothalamus- 5 min, 95°C for 10 s, and 60°C for 30 s. The cycle pituitary gland-gonad axis. threshold (Ct) was returned to the baseline dur- In this study, we report the expression of MTNR ing each reaction. Based on the melting curve, we in the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, determined whether a specific product or a primer and ovary of the yak. We also examined differences dimer was present in the PCR during each reaction. in the tissue-specific mRNA expression level of the The standard curves were generated from a stand- MTNR gene in the yak during the breeding season. ard sample, i.e. a 10-fold serial dilution (from 101 to 106). The standard curve parameter calculations MATERIAL AND METHODS were used to determine the correlation coefficient 2 value: R MTNR1A = 0.997, slope = –3.387, intercept = 2 Sample collection and preservation. Tissue 28.833; R MTNR2B = 0.997, slope = –3.417, intercept = 2 samples from the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pi- 29.462; R β-actin = 0.999, slope = –3.389, intercept = tuitary gland, and ovary were obtained at the time 16.654. Each sample was tested in triplicate. of slaughter and stored immediately in RNAlater Immunohistochemical analysis of MTNR pro- (Omega Bio-Tek, Inc., Norcross, USA) and para- tein expression. An immunohistochemical assay formaldehyde until further use. Samples were was developed to study MTNR protein expres- collected from six yaks (proestrus) on October 4, sion in yak tissues (pineal gland, hypothalamus, 2012, which was during the breeding season. pituitary gland, and ovary) during the breeding RNA isolation and reverse transcription-poly- season. The tissues were embedded in paraffin merase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Total tissue and dehydrated. MTNR protein expression was RNA was extracted using RNAiso Plus (TaKaRa analyzed using an SP immunohistochemistry kit Biotechnology Co., Dalian, P.R. China) and the (Maixin, Fuzhou, P.R. China), according to the quality was checked with UV-800 ultraviolet spec- manufacturer’s instructions. trophotometer (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan) in Statistical analysis. The data were expressed A260/280 nm. Reverse transcription was performed as the mean ± SD. The SPSS software package using PrimeScript RT Master Mix Perfect Real (Version 15.0, 2007) was used to analyze the data. Time (TaKaRa) in a reaction mixture volume of ANOVA was used to test for significant differences 10 μl at 37°C for 15 min and 85°C for 5 s. between different groups. Real-Time PCR of MTNR mRNA expression. To compare MTNR mRNA expression in different yak RESULTS tissues (pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovary) during the breeding season, a real-time Tissue-specific expression of the yak mela- PCR assay was developed based on SXBR Premix tonin receptor during the breeding season. The Ex TaqTM II (Perfect Real Time) (TaKaRa). The MTNR1A and MTNR1B mRNA expression levels β-actin was used as a housekeeping gene to cor- were higher in pineal gland tissue compared with rect potential variations in the RNA loading. The the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovary (P < primers were designed using Primer Premier 6.0 0.01) during the yak breeding season (Figure 1). based on the mRNA sequence of MTNR1B. Tau- rus (NCBI Accession numbers XM614283.3 and 1.2 XM001254949.3). The primers used for MTNR1A 1.0 MT1 MT2 were 5'-GGCACTCGTCATCATTCC-3' (forward) 0.8 and 5'-CGTCCACTCCAGTCTTCT-3' (reverse) 0.6 while those used for MTNR1B were 5'-TCGTC- 0.4 TATGGGCTCCTGAA-3' (forward) and 5'-GCT- 0.2 GCCCTTGGAAGAGTT-3' (reverse). The primers 0.0 used for the β-actin plasmid were 5'-CACAGC- Pineal gland Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Ovary CGAGCGGGAAAT-3' (forward) and 5'-CCGT- GTTGGCGTAGAGGT-3' (reverse) (Zi et al., 2012). Figure 1. MTNR1A and MTNR2B mRNA expression in Real-time PCR conditions: 12.5 μl SXBR Premix pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovary Ex TaqTM II (2×), 2.0 μl of template cDNA, 1.0 μl tissue of the yak during breeding season (n = 6) as deter- of each primer (10 μmol/l), 8.5 μl deionized H2O. mined by real-time PCR. Values are normalized with the The PCR parameters were 50°C for 2 min, 95°C for values for β-actin. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate 141 Original Paper Czech J. Anim. Sci., 59, 2014 (3): 140–145 Figure 2. Melatonin receptor protein expressions in pineal Figure 3. Melatonin receptor protein expression in hypo- gland tissue of the yak during breeding season (n = 6) as thalamus issue of the yak during breeding season (n = 6) as determined by immunofluorescence. The pineal gland, determined by immunofluorescence. Melatonin receptor pinealocyte (PC), synaptic ribbon (SR), and synaptic was obviously located in magnocellular neurons (MN) spherules (SS) were the receptors of melatonin and parvicellular neurons (PN) There were no significant differences between the Melatonin receptor protein expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovary tissue. pituitary gland. Low MTNR expression was de- Melatonin receptor protein expression in the tected in the pituitary gland tissue α-cells and pineal gland. The pineal gland is the main tissue β-cells during the yak breeding season (Figure 4). where melatonin was produced. The pinealocyte, Melatonin receptor protein expression in the synaptic ribbon (SR), and synaptic spherules (SS) ovary. In the ovary, MTNR expression was high expressed melatonin in the pineal gland (Figure 2). in the ovarian follicle (Figure 5A) but lower in the This suggests that the pinealocytes exchanged in- corpus luteum (Figure 5B) than in Leydig cells. formation via the SR and SS. Thus, the pinealocytes MTNR expression was detected in granular leu- produced melatonin and they also received it. kocytes and oocytes. This suggests that melatonin Melatonin receptor protein expression in the was involved with the growth and maturation of hypothalamus. High MTNR expression was de- ovarian follicles and it also participated in the tected in the magnocellular neurons and parvicel- growth of oocytes. Melatonin also stimulated lular neurons of the hypothalamus tissue during hormone production by Leydig cells. MTNR was the breeding season (Figure 3). expressed by the granulosa cells in the follicle during each stage. DISCUSSION This study investigated MTNR gene expression in the yak (B. grunniens). We examined tissue- specific differences in the MTNR mRNA expression levels in the yak during the breeding season. We also studied various characteristics of the tissue- specific MTNR protein expression in the yak.
Recommended publications
  • Te2, Part Iii
    TERMINOLOGIA EMBRYOLOGICA Second Edition International Embryological Terminology FIPAT The Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology A programme of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) TE2, PART III Contents Caput V: Organogenesis Chapter 5: Organogenesis (continued) Systema respiratorium Respiratory system Systema urinarium Urinary system Systemata genitalia Genital systems Coeloma Coelom Glandulae endocrinae Endocrine glands Systema cardiovasculare Cardiovascular system Systema lymphoideum Lymphoid system Bibliographic Reference Citation: FIPAT. Terminologia Embryologica. 2nd ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca. Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology, February 2017 Published pending approval by the General Assembly at the next Congress of IFAA (2019) Creative Commons License: The publication of Terminologia Embryologica is under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0) license The individual terms in this terminology are within the public domain. Statements about terms being part of this international standard terminology should use the above bibliographic reference to cite this terminology. The unaltered PDF files of this terminology may be freely copied and distributed by users. IFAA member societies are authorized to publish translations of this terminology. Authors of other works that might be considered derivative should write to the Chair of FIPAT for permission to publish a derivative work. Caput V: ORGANOGENESIS Chapter 5: ORGANOGENESIS
    [Show full text]
  • The Interaction of the Thyroid Gland, Pineal Gland and Immune System in Chicken
    Vol. 6, Suppl. 2 79 The interaction of the thyroid gland, pineal gland and immune system in chicken Mykola E. Dzerzhynsky1, Olga I. Gorelikova, Andriy S. Pustovalov Department of Cytology, Histology and Development Biology, Kiev, Taras Shevchenko National University, Kiev, Ukraine Received: 7 October 2005; accepted: 15 September 2006 SUMMARY The interaction of immunological system, thyroid and pineal gland was studied in 5-week old males of Gallus domesticus. Several morphometri- cal parameters in pineal and thyroid glands were measured after bird im- munization with human red blood cells and/or treatment with melatonin or seduxen, a melatonin receptor blocker. The peak of the thyroid activity was found on Day 7 after immunization. The immune system appears to directly activate the thyroid gland only in the presence of certain level of melatonin. We suggest that the melatonin mechanism of action includes the enhancement of thyroid gland sensitivity to immune factors. Seduxen prevented the stimulatory influence of the immune system on the thyroid gland. Reproductive Biology 2006, 6, Suppl. 2:79–85. Key words: thyroid gland, immunization, pineal gland, melatonin, seduxen 1Corresponding author: Department of Cytology, Histology and Development Biology, Kiev, Taras Shevchenko National University, 64 Volodomyrska Str, 01033 Kiev, Ukraine; e-mail: [email protected] Copyright © 2006 by the Society for Biology of Reproduction 80 Immune-thyroid-pineal interactions in chicken INTRODUCTION Interrelationships of the endocrine, nervous and immune systems attract a lot of scientific attention [3]. Thyroid hormones (thyroxine: T4; triio- dothyronine), in addition to involvement in controlling energy production and protein and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulate the metamorphosis of lower vertebrates, control tissue growth and development, intensify oxida- tion and heat production as well as influence the functioning of the nervous system.
    [Show full text]
  • Vocabulario De Morfoloxía, Anatomía E Citoloxía Veterinaria
    Vocabulario de Morfoloxía, anatomía e citoloxía veterinaria (galego-español-inglés) Servizo de Normalización Lingüística Universidade de Santiago de Compostela COLECCIÓN VOCABULARIOS TEMÁTICOS N.º 4 SERVIZO DE NORMALIZACIÓN LINGÜÍSTICA Vocabulario de Morfoloxía, anatomía e citoloxía veterinaria (galego-español-inglés) 2008 UNIVERSIDADE DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA VOCABULARIO de morfoloxía, anatomía e citoloxía veterinaria : (galego-español- inglés) / coordinador Xusto A. Rodríguez Río, Servizo de Normalización Lingüística ; autores Matilde Lombardero Fernández ... [et al.]. – Santiago de Compostela : Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico, 2008. – 369 p. ; 21 cm. – (Vocabularios temáticos ; 4). - D.L. C 2458-2008. – ISBN 978-84-9887-018-3 1.Medicina �������������������������������������������������������������������������veterinaria-Diccionarios�������������������������������������������������. 2.Galego (Lingua)-Glosarios, vocabularios, etc. políglotas. I.Lombardero Fernández, Matilde. II.Rodríguez Rio, Xusto A. coord. III. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Servizo de Normalización Lingüística, coord. IV.Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico, ed. V.Serie. 591.4(038)=699=60=20 Coordinador Xusto A. Rodríguez Río (Área de Terminoloxía. Servizo de Normalización Lingüística. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela) Autoras/res Matilde Lombardero Fernández (doutora en Veterinaria e profesora do Departamento de Anatomía e Produción Animal.
    [Show full text]
  • Pineal Calcification, Melatonin Production, Aging, Associated
    molecules Review Pineal Calcification, Melatonin Production, Aging, Associated Health Consequences and Rejuvenation of the Pineal Gland Dun Xian Tan *, Bing Xu, Xinjia Zhou and Russel J. Reiter * Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; [email protected] (B.X.); [email protected] (X.Z.) * Correspondence: [email protected] (D.X.T.); [email protected] (R.J.R.); Tel.: +210-567-2550 (D.X.T.); +210-567-3859 (R.J.R.) Received: 13 January 2018; Accepted: 26 January 2018; Published: 31 January 2018 Abstract: The pineal gland is a unique organ that synthesizes melatonin as the signaling molecule of natural photoperiodic environment and as a potent neuronal protective antioxidant. An intact and functional pineal gland is necessary for preserving optimal human health. Unfortunately, this gland has the highest calcification rate among all organs and tissues of the human body. Pineal calcification jeopardizes melatonin’s synthetic capacity and is associated with a variety of neuronal diseases. In the current review, we summarized the potential mechanisms of how this process may occur under pathological conditions or during aging. We hypothesized that pineal calcification is an active process and resembles in some respects of bone formation. The mesenchymal stem cells and melatonin participate in this process. Finally, we suggest that preservation of pineal health can be achieved by retarding its premature calcification or even rejuvenating the calcified gland. Keywords: pineal gland; calcification; melatonin; aging; neurodegenerative diseases; rejuvenation 1. Introduction Pineal gland is a unique organ which is localized in the geometric center of the human brain. Its size is individually variable and the average weight of pineal gland in human is around 150 mg [1], the size of a soybean.
    [Show full text]
  • Nomina Histologica Veterinaria, First Edition
    NOMINA HISTOLOGICA VETERINARIA Submitted by the International Committee on Veterinary Histological Nomenclature (ICVHN) to the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists Published on the website of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists www.wava-amav.org 2017 CONTENTS Introduction i Principles of term construction in N.H.V. iii Cytologia – Cytology 1 Textus epithelialis – Epithelial tissue 10 Textus connectivus – Connective tissue 13 Sanguis et Lympha – Blood and Lymph 17 Textus muscularis – Muscle tissue 19 Textus nervosus – Nerve tissue 20 Splanchnologia – Viscera 23 Systema digestorium – Digestive system 24 Systema respiratorium – Respiratory system 32 Systema urinarium – Urinary system 35 Organa genitalia masculina – Male genital system 38 Organa genitalia feminina – Female genital system 42 Systema endocrinum – Endocrine system 45 Systema cardiovasculare et lymphaticum [Angiologia] – Cardiovascular and lymphatic system 47 Systema nervosum – Nervous system 52 Receptores sensorii et Organa sensuum – Sensory receptors and Sense organs 58 Integumentum – Integument 64 INTRODUCTION The preparations leading to the publication of the present first edition of the Nomina Histologica Veterinaria has a long history spanning more than 50 years. Under the auspices of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists (W.A.V.A.), the International Committee on Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature (I.C.V.A.N.) appointed in Giessen, 1965, a Subcommittee on Histology and Embryology which started a working relation with the Subcommittee on Histology of the former International Anatomical Nomenclature Committee. In Mexico City, 1971, this Subcommittee presented a document entitled Nomina Histologica Veterinaria: A Working Draft as a basis for the continued work of the newly-appointed Subcommittee on Histological Nomenclature. This resulted in the editing of the Nomina Histologica Veterinaria: A Working Draft II (Toulouse, 1974), followed by preparations for publication of a Nomina Histologica Veterinaria.
    [Show full text]
  • Cell Populations in the Pineal Gland of the Viscacha (Lagostomus Maximus)
    Histol Histopathol (2003) 18: 827-836 Histology and http://www.hh.um.es Histopathology Cellular and Molecular Biology Cell populations in the pineal gland of the viscacha (Lagostomus maximus). Seasonal variations R. Cernuda-Cernuda1, R.S. Piezzi2, S. Domínguez2 and M. Alvarez-Uría1 1Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain 2Instituto de Histología y Embriología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo/CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina and 3Cátedra de Histología, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina Summary. Pineal samples of the viscacha, which were Introduction taken in winter and in summer, were analysed using both light and electron microscopy. The differences found The pineal gland is mainly involved in the between the two seasons were few in number but integration of information about environmental significant. The parenchyma showed two main cell conditions (light, temperature, etc.), and in the populations. Type I cells occupied the largest volume of measurement of photoperiod length (Pévet, 2000). This the pineal and showed the characteristics of typical gland probably signals the enviromental conditions thus pinealocytes. Many processes, some of which were filled making mammals seasonal breeders (Reiter, 1981). The with vesicles, could be seen in intimate contact with the pineal has been thoroughly investigated; however, the neighbouring cells. The presence in the winter samples number of species in which its ultrastructure have been of “synaptic” ribbons and spherules, which were almost studied is a meager 1.5-2% of all mammalians absent in the summer pineals, suggests a seasonal (Bhatnagar, 1992). Previous studies have focused on rhythm. These synaptic-like structures, as well as the domestic and laboratory animals housed in artificially abundant subsurface cisterns present in type I cells, controlled conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Índice De Denominacións Españolas
    VOCABULARIO Índice de denominacións españolas 255 VOCABULARIO 256 VOCABULARIO agente tensioactivo pulmonar, 2441 A agranulocito, 32 abaxial, 3 agujero aórtico, 1317 abertura pupilar, 6 agujero de la vena cava, 1178 abierto de atrás, 4 agujero dental inferior, 1179 abierto de delante, 5 agujero magno, 1182 ablación, 1717 agujero mandibular, 1179 abomaso, 7 agujero mentoniano, 1180 acetábulo, 10 agujero obturado, 1181 ácido biliar, 11 agujero occipital, 1182 ácido desoxirribonucleico, 12 agujero oval, 1183 ácido desoxirribonucleico agujero sacro, 1184 nucleosómico, 28 agujero vertebral, 1185 ácido nucleico, 13 aire, 1560 ácido ribonucleico, 14 ala, 1 ácido ribonucleico mensajero, 167 ala de la nariz, 2 ácido ribonucleico ribosómico, 168 alantoamnios, 33 acino hepático, 15 alantoides, 34 acorne, 16 albardado, 35 acostarse, 850 albugínea, 2574 acromático, 17 aldosterona, 36 acromatina, 18 almohadilla, 38 acromion, 19 almohadilla carpiana, 39 acrosoma, 20 almohadilla córnea, 40 ACTH, 1335 almohadilla dental, 41 actina, 21 almohadilla dentaria, 41 actina F, 22 almohadilla digital, 42 actina G, 23 almohadilla metacarpiana, 43 actitud, 24 almohadilla metatarsiana, 44 acueducto cerebral, 25 almohadilla tarsiana, 45 acueducto de Silvio, 25 alocórtex, 46 acueducto mesencefálico, 25 alto de cola, 2260 adamantoblasto, 59 altura a la punta de la espalda, 56 adenohipófisis, 26 altura anterior de la espalda, 56 ADH, 1336 altura del esternón, 47 adipocito, 27 altura del pecho, 48 ADN, 12 altura del tórax, 48 ADN nucleosómico, 28 alunarado, 49 ADNn, 28
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Bioscientifica.Com at 09/30/2021 01:02:16PM Via Free Access 490 G
    Seasonal changes in the pineal gland related to the reproductive cycle in the male hare, Lepus europaeus G. A. Lincoln M.R.C. Unit of Reproductive Biology, 2 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EHI 2QW, U.K. Summary. During the autumn months, the gonads and reproductive tract of adult male hares (Lepus europaeus) are regressed and circulating gonadotrophin levels are low. At this time the pineal glands are most active as judged by the organ size, and the nuclear and cytoplasmic size of the pinealocytes. There was an inverse rela- tionship between the size of the pineal gland and the weight of the testis, the plasma and testicular testosterone levels, and possibly also the plasma LH levels. Many clinical and experimental observations suggest a functional link between the pineal gland and the gonads of mammals (see Wurtman, Axelrod & Kelly, 1968). Antigonadotrophic factors have been found in the pineal glands of several species and the organ probably modifies the activity of the gonads by influencing the secretion of gonadotrophins from the pituitary by its action on the hypo¬ thalamus (Fraschini, Collu & Martini, 1971 ; Vaughan, Reiter, Vaughan, Bigelow & Altschule, 1972). The suppressive effect of the pineal gland on reproduction is of particular interest in seasonally breeding animals in which there are conspicuous changes in the reproductive tract during the year and the pineal appears to play some role in mediating the environmental effect of light on reproduc¬ tion (Herbert, 1972; Reiter, 1973). Histological studies of wild animals indicate that the pineal gland may be most active when the gonads are regressed (Mogler, 1958; Quay, 1956; Millar, 1972; Pevet & Saboureau, 1973).
    [Show full text]
  • Cell Population Characterization and Discovery Using Single-Cell Technologies in Endocrine Systems
    65 2 Journal of Molecular LYM Cheung and K Rizzoti Single cell technologies in 65:2 R35–R51 Endocrinology endocrine systems REVIEW Cell population characterization and discovery using single-cell technologies in endocrine systems Leonard Y M Cheung 1 and Karine Rizzoti 2 1Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA 2Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK Correspondence should be addressed to K Rizzoti: [email protected] Abstract In the last 15 years, single-cell technologies have become robust and indispensable Key Words tools to investigate cell heterogeneity. Beyond transcriptomic, genomic and epigenome f technology analyses, technologies are constantly evolving, in particular toward multi-omics, where f single cell analyses of different source materials from a single cell are combined, and spatial f microfluidics transcriptomics, where resolution of cellular heterogeneity can be detected in situ. While f multi-omics some of these techniques are still being optimized, single-cell RNAseq has commonly f transcriptome been used because the examination of transcriptomes allows characterization of f endocrine organs cell identity and, therefore, unravel previously uncharacterized diversity within cell populations. Most endocrine organs have now been investigated using this technique, and this has given new insights into organ embryonic development, characterization of rare cell types, and disease mechanisms. Here, we highlight recent studies, particularly on the hypothalamus and pituitary, and examine recent findings on the pancreas and Journal of Molecular reproductive organs where many single-cell experiments have been performed. Endocrinology (2020) 65, R35–R51 Introduction Single-cell technologies have become an essential soon be analyzed at the single-cell level (Palii et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Diurnal Rhythms of Pinealocyte Ultrastructure, Pineal Serotonin Content and Plasma Melatonin Level in the Domestic Pig
    FOLIA HISTOCHEMICA ET CYTOBIOLOGICA Vol. 42, No. 3, 2004 pp. 155-164 Diurnal rhythms of pinealocyte ultrastructure, pineal serotonin content and plasma melatonin level in the domestic pig Bogdan Lewczuk, Marcin Nowicki, Magdalena Prusik and Barbara Przybylska-Gornowicz Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Functional Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate diurnal changes in pinealocyte ultrastructure, pineal serotonin content and plasma melatonin concentration in the domestic pig. The immature pigs (n=24) were kept under a cycle of 12 h light : 12 h dark, with a photophase between 0800 and 2000. During the photophase the animals were exposed to direct sunlight. After four weeks the gilts were slaughtered at 0900, 1400, 2100 and 0200. The pineals were removed and divided into two parts - one for quantitative ultrastructural study (by a point count method) and one for serotonin assay. Simultaneously, blood samples were taken for melatonin assay. The relative volume of mitochondria in pinealocyte perikarya was significantly higher at 1400 than at 0200 and 0900 as well as at 2100 than at 0200. The relative volume of Golgi apparatus was higher at 0900 and 1400 than at 0200. The relative volume of dense bodies of the MBB-1 type in pinealocyte perikarya was significantly lower at 1400 and 2100 than at 0900. In contrast, the relative volume of MBB-2 was higher at 1400 than at 0900 and 0200. The numerical density of DCV in perikarya was significantly higher at 0200 than at 1400. No significant differences were found in rough endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and multivesicular bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • 26 April 2010 TE Prepublication Page 1 Nomina Generalia General Terms
    26 April 2010 TE PrePublication Page 1 Nomina generalia General terms E1.0.0.0.0.0.1 Modus reproductionis Reproductive mode E1.0.0.0.0.0.2 Reproductio sexualis Sexual reproduction E1.0.0.0.0.0.3 Viviparitas Viviparity E1.0.0.0.0.0.4 Heterogamia Heterogamy E1.0.0.0.0.0.5 Endogamia Endogamy E1.0.0.0.0.0.6 Sequentia reproductionis Reproductive sequence E1.0.0.0.0.0.7 Ovulatio Ovulation E1.0.0.0.0.0.8 Erectio Erection E1.0.0.0.0.0.9 Coitus Coitus; Sexual intercourse E1.0.0.0.0.0.10 Ejaculatio1 Ejaculation E1.0.0.0.0.0.11 Emissio Emission E1.0.0.0.0.0.12 Ejaculatio vera Ejaculation proper E1.0.0.0.0.0.13 Semen Semen; Ejaculate E1.0.0.0.0.0.14 Inseminatio Insemination E1.0.0.0.0.0.15 Fertilisatio Fertilization E1.0.0.0.0.0.16 Fecundatio Fecundation; Impregnation E1.0.0.0.0.0.17 Superfecundatio Superfecundation E1.0.0.0.0.0.18 Superimpregnatio Superimpregnation E1.0.0.0.0.0.19 Superfetatio Superfetation E1.0.0.0.0.0.20 Ontogenesis Ontogeny E1.0.0.0.0.0.21 Ontogenesis praenatalis Prenatal ontogeny E1.0.0.0.0.0.22 Tempus praenatale; Tempus gestationis Prenatal period; Gestation period E1.0.0.0.0.0.23 Vita praenatalis Prenatal life E1.0.0.0.0.0.24 Vita intrauterina Intra-uterine life E1.0.0.0.0.0.25 Embryogenesis2 Embryogenesis; Embryogeny E1.0.0.0.0.0.26 Fetogenesis3 Fetogenesis E1.0.0.0.0.0.27 Tempus natale Birth period E1.0.0.0.0.0.28 Ontogenesis postnatalis Postnatal ontogeny E1.0.0.0.0.0.29 Vita postnatalis Postnatal life E1.0.1.0.0.0.1 Mensurae embryonicae et fetales4 Embryonic and fetal measurements E1.0.1.0.0.0.2 Aetas a fecundatione5 Fertilization
    [Show full text]
  • Biochemistry of Hormones
    به نام خدا Biochemistry of Hormones Chapter 1 & 22 Dr. Sajadi Hormones: An Introduction Hormone: [hormon, the present participle of impel, or set in motion] Endocrinology: Endocrine: [Endo (internal or within) and Krinein (separate)] The study of hormones, their receptors and the intracellular signaling pathways. • Receptor → The immediate recipient of the hormone • Receptor–hormone interaction → signal transduction → specific biological response(s). • The biochemical era of endocrinology began in approximately 1955–1960. Hormones and Their Communication Systems 1. Types of Hormone Molecules Hormones are heterogeneous in their molecular size, chemical properties, and pathways of synthesis. Peptide or protein hormones range from 3 aa (TRH) to over 100 per subunit. Amino acid-derived hormones: Thyroid hormone and Epinephrine are derived from tyrosine. Steroid hormones: Vitamin D and its metabolites are derived from cholesterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol, respectively. Prostaglandins and other eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid, cleaved from membrane phospholipids, as the main precursor. Classes of Hormones 2. Types of Hormonal Communication Systems • Endocrine: Releasing of hormone into general circulation. Hypothalamic-releasing hormones • Paracrine: Decreased distance and no dilution in circulation Most prostaglandins Several steroid hormones (testestrone) IGF-1 • Autocrine: Some cells both produce and respond to the same hormone. Growth factors from malignant cells Acronyms of some hormones Hormones and the Hormonal Cascade System Peptides (proteins) Hormones Products of translation Variable size: [3aa (TRH)- multisubunit glycoproteins] • Variations in modifications to mRNA and/or protein leads to deviation from the original “one gene, one protein” concept. 1. Alternative processing of a single primary transcript: The production of either calcitonin (CT) or calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP).
    [Show full text]